- Time of past OR future Camino
- started in 2012, hooked ever since.
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So after a gorgeous walk last september on the Invierno (after the Madrid), have started looking at some ideas for this September. We are just back from a month of travelling in Spain in our campervan with our 2 dogs and really want to keep doing that sort of journey. We have 2 options for getting to Spain in a campervan with the dogs from Ireland and one of them is to get a ferry from Ireland (Rosslare) to Bilbao. So I am thinking about going with my husband and dogs in the Ferry to Bilbao then waving goodbye for me to walk the Olvidado while my husband has a wonderful wife-free 3 weeks touring round in the van. Sort of perfect for us both!
I was thinking 3 weeks would be enough to get to Villafranca on the Francés?
Have downloaded Ender's English guide for the Olvidado (many thanks @peregrina2000) and also have started to read up on the Olvidado forum for information, again thanks @peregrina2000 for your own detailed guide. Did anyone walk this route last year or planning to this year? If anyone did walk last year, I would appreciate any updates especially re route/accommodation etc. My other question is about GPS. It would seem essential as mentioned by a few people. I have not used GPS, but it would seem Wikiloc is popular? Any other suggestions? Afraid I am a bit of a techy nerd so as much information would be appreciated!
Look forward to having a conversation about this lovely sounding Camino!
Great to hear from you @WestKirsty ! Yes please do share what you find and I will do likewise. With Wikiloc, I take it you download the maps prior to journey? Someone mentioned that Ender's maps on wikiloc are under "enderjace" ?Hi! We have similar tastes in Caminos! I recently walked the Invierno and I'm planning to walk the Viejo/Olvidado this June/July. I'll do the route from Pamplona instead of Bilbao, but from Aguilar de Campoo it'll be the same route as you
I'm just starting to look up accommodation etc but would be happy to share what I find. I've been using the same sources as you as well as the Wise Pilgrim app. It has the route mapped so I plan on using that plus Wikiloc. I used the Wise Pilgrim Invierno app and liked it and found the map to be very accurate.
Happy planning!
Thanks @LTfit , will look up the Olvidado thread to get up to date on possible stages. Not a FB fan but will try to get the Olvidado page. How long are you thinking, 3 weeks?Hi @laineylainey and @WestKirsty ,
I'm also planning on doing the Olvidado this year, hopefully in June/July starting in Bilbao. Last year at the same time I was supposed to walk the Olvidado (already had a flight to Bilbao and tentative stages) but a week before leaving I decided to switch to the Norte. I had been following a pilgrim on the Olvidado Facebook page (Ender contributes a lot there) and he was having a difficult time with accommodations as a few albergues/hostales were temporarily closed. He ended up taking a taxi here and there and spent much more money than planned in hotels/pensiones (especially on the first few stages). It could have been bad luck but this soured my plans and so opted to walk the Norte again.
This year I do plan on carrying out my previous plan. I'm not a big planner and rather wing it but this Camino, especially if planning to take the mountain alternatives, needs organizing. GPS is definitely recommended for those stages. If you are on Facebook Ender posted quite a few videos of the trail last summer. Also a few Spanish posted everyday of their walk.
Next month I'll probably sit down and look at my previous notes and make tentative stages. If I recall correctly, someone posted a list of her (or his?) Olvidado stages in another thread last week. There is also a thread on the pros and cons of different gps apps (general post, not specific to the Olvidado). Sorry don't have the link at hand.
This is the Olvidado FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/elcaminoolvidado/permalink/1062343577755765Thanks @LTfit , will look up the Olvidado thread to get up to date on possible stages. Not a FB fan but will try to get the Olvidado page. How long are you thinking, 3 weeks?
This is the Olvidado FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/elcaminoolvidado/permalink/1062343577755765
I see that there are IMHO a lot of irrelevant posts these past few months but if you look more towards the spring and summer and you'll find posts of pilgrims and their stages, pictures and comments.
And this is the pdf file of the Olvidado guide (in Spanish) found under 'files' at the top of the FB page
file:///C:/Users/latol/Downloads/guia_camino_olvidado.pdf
This is Laurie's forum post about the English guide (updates in her post of October 2022 which is not in the English guide):
I recall that I wasn't going to follow the exact stages as in the guide as some are quite short so I was planning on less than 3 weeks. I'll be re-evaluating the stages and will share when I'm that far.
This is the thread about the pros and cons of different gps apps:
Hope this helps!
p.s. I'm looking at Wikilocs right now and can't find Ender's tracks for the Olvidado. I keyed in Enderjace CaminO Olvidado but got hits by someone else for the first 3 stages.
This is the Olvidado FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/elcaminoolvidado/permalink/1062343577755765
I see that there are IMHO a lot of irrelevant posts these past few months but if you look more towards the spring and summer and you'll find posts of pilgrims and their stages, pictures and comments.
And this is the pdf file of the Olvidado guide (in Spanish) found under 'files' at the top of the FB page
file:///C:/Users/latol/Downloads/guia_camino_olvidado.pdf
This is Laurie's forum post about the English guide (updates in her post of October 2022 which is not in the English guide):
I recall that I wasn't going to follow the exact stages as in the guide as some are quite short so I was planning on less than 3 weeks. I'll be re-evaluating the stages and will share when I'm that far.
This is the thread about the pros and cons of different gps apps:
Hope this helps!
p.s. I'm looking at Wikilocs right now and can't find Ender's tracks for the Olvidado. I keyed in Enderjace Camino Olvidado but got hits by someone else for the first 3 stages.
Try enderjace with a lower case "e". I did find his posts on wikiloc.
Thanks so helpful Laurie! I see he's also mapped the alternative mountain routesJust got this recent link from Ender — he says it’s the most updated, and it’s on google maps.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1g0O5w0PuygiBB9K0emz0CyGTjbDYzoI&usp=sharing
Have decided to start walking on the 1st Sept. Ferry booked!Thanks for all these links! I'm getting really excited about this one...
Yes, the thread has a bit too much info for someone like me that prefers to just follow the arrowsSo grateful for the link to the GPS question. Must admit it will take me some time to understand a lot of it, but I am sensing that it's mainly but certainly not exclusively, maps.me or wikilocs that people recommend.
Have decided to start walking on the 1st Sept. Ferry booked!
This is my top of the list camino, @WestKirsty, so I really look forward to hearing about it, especially the part after Miranda de Ebro.I'll do the route from Pamplona instead of Bilbao, but from Aguilar de Campoo it'll be the same route as you
For offline use, OSMand is IMO much better than Maps.me. Some say it's harder to learn, but I didn't find that to be the case at all.mainly but certainly not exclusively, maps.me or wikilocs that people recommend.
There are two main alternatives, with both options marked for each alternative.Did you take any of Ender's alternative routes mentioned in his guide?
@peregrina2000 Laurie, do know if Ender keeps a current list of accommodations along the Olvidado?
That is the Spanish version, which is more up to date than the English version. If you don’t read Spanish, here are the main accommodation updates thatThis is the link to Ender's document that Laurie says is the most up-to-date:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LVtQW64pGcbM_2R5R4IhatggNSnxuDoC/view?usp=drivesdk
Yes, the thread has a bit too much info for someone like me that prefers to just follow the arrows
Sorry if I missed this, but when do you plan to walk the Olvidado @LTfit ?This is the link to Ender's document that Laurie says is the most up-to-date:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LVtQW64pGcbM_2R5R4IhatggNSnxuDoC/view?usp=drivesdk
Thanks so much Laurie! I know I saw this last year but forgot about it
So @laineylainey this should be the only document we need in addition to the Wikilocs tracks we now have
Yesterday booked a flight to Bilbao for June 16, start Saturday June 17th. Return flight haven't yet booked but hope to return from Santiago. And you?Sorry if I missed this, but when do you plan to walk the Olvidado @LTfit ?
I will get to Bilbao on the 31st August and start walking on the 1st Sept. I do hope your post your journey?Yesterday booked a flight to Bilbao for June 16, start Saturday June 17th. Return flight haven't yet booked but hope to return from Santiago. And you?
Not that I know of but you can get a certificate of completion in Villafranca although I don't know who issues itIs there a credencial for the Olvidado?
I came across a printable credencial for the Olvidado on one of the websites, though I have no idea how offical it may be: https://www.elcaminoolvidado.com/credencial-del-camino-olvidado/Is there a credencial for the Olvidado?
Not that I know of but you can get a certificate of completion in Villafranca although I don't know who issues it
Hiya Lainey, the credential and “passport” are the same thing.I used the credential download and have done this Camino three times. Enjoy! Cheers, Mick.Sorry I meant a "passport" just to get stamps. I don't bother with certificates but I love getting the different stamps at places I stay. I then have a memory of the journey in my Camino box!
How do you prove you walked it without a credential?Not that I know of but you can get a certificate of completion in Villafranca although I don't know who issues it
You always need a credencial if you want to stay in pilgrim albergues and in this case if you want a certificate of completion. Ivar's store has them so you can order from him or from your Irish Camino Association (assume there is one). I still have a few empty ones so if you are in a bind send me a pm and I can mail one to you. It doesn't have to be one that is particular for the Olvidado.I thought so, but when it was mentioned to download I thought it would be more a certificate. Is there somewhere to buy a credential?
How do you prove you walked it without a credential?
Is there an Olvidado association or similar? I could contact them about a possible credential?
Thanks @WestKirsty and @omicko , I have printed off the online credential.I came across a printable credencial for the Olvidado on one of the websites, though I have no idea how offical it may be: https://www.elcaminoolvidado.com/credencial-del-camino-olvidado/
There's also info on the certificate of completion on this thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/the-olvidada-for-the-olvidado.73998/#post-1027018
Aguilar is the biggest place along the route, has a Gothic colegiata, castle ruins, a romanesque church below the castle with some really fine Romanesque capitals inside (get the key from the parish priest, and you can then open it up and spend time inside alone — he even told me how to put on the lights!). There is a Centro Expositivo there, which I have never visited. The monastery is now a hotel, and from what I’ve heard the rooms are nice and frequently not too expensive. There is a river walk along the Pisuerga, and a good smattering of services.I was thinking of having a rest or tourist day on this route and wonder what folk would recommend? Although it's only day 7, would you recommend Aquilar de Campoo or what other place?
So. I just wanted to check how difficult or not (given it is only day 3 of the Olvidado), the stage Nava de Ordunte to Espinosa is?
If your day into Guardo is short, and if you are planning to walk the Caminayo alternative to Puente Almuhey from Guardo, you could consider carrying on beyond Guardo to stay in Velilla del Río Carrión. That takes about 4-6 km, I think, off the longer alternative into Puente Almuhey. It is smaller than Guardo, but it has a pensión and enough services to keep you afloat. Both Guardo and Velilla are pretty sad places, remnants of what used to be prosperous mining towns.I won't ask about the Cervera de Pisuerga to Guardo nearly 40k day, as I have already decided to spilt that day.
Restaurante Mylo in Santibáñez de la Peña has rooms, according to several forum members. Here. And here. Phone number is listed, but no WhatsApp because it’s a land line.So, a blow to my plan to split the Cervera de Pisuerga to Guardo day. The albergue at VIllanueva de la Peña is closed indefinitely and the Casa Rural el Enciinar and Hotel Rural El Yunque (same owner) in Tarilonte de la Peña will only take a minimum of a 2 night booking. Anyone have any other suggestions for this stage?
Hi Lainey, where did you get this information from? Was it from the owners website or a third party accommodation website or from another Camino Olvidado Guide. If by an email or telephone what was the question asked?Casa Rural el Enciinar and Hotel Rural El Yunque (same owner) in Tarilonte de la Peña will only take a minimum of a 2 night booking. Anyone have any other suggestions for this stage?
What did you EXACTLY write to her in your WhatsApp message?I had WhatsApp messages with Elena of both the Casa Rural and Hotel in Tarilonte and she told me they only accept a minimum of 2 night stays.
Well Bonar to Vegacerva is about 28 kms and it only took me about 8 hours. It is a fantastic section and I especially liked the old roman road up near the high point was wonderful.Just looking at the stages from Vegacervera to La Magdalena. I am not keen on pavement walking so is Vergacervera to Polo de Gordon to La Magdalena a good option or would I be missing something sensational by not going via Buiza?
Also the stage Boñar to Vegacervera on the Ender's wikiloc map he has total time (to complete?) 12.5 hours, I do hope not?
Just to let anyone thinking of doing the Olvidado and walking Ender's stage 2b Gueñes to Villasana de Mena, the only accommoation there the Hostelería Foramontanos closed down last October. Looking forward to staying in Nava de Ordunte and the Albergue de acogida! Hope it is still open.
Hi Laurie, have a look at my Guide THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE CAMINO OLVIDADO FROM BILBAO - SUMMER 2022. I've just posted it. On Page 2 the ALTERNATIVE FROM BALMASEDA THAT BYPASSES NAVA DE ORDUNTE etc. would be the option for this post 38. You can leave from either Villasana de Mena / Mercadillo or Bilbao to visit the “Romanesque Gems “.Since Adolfo (in whose garage the albergue is located) is a true Camino angel, I’m betting it is going strong.
One sad consequence of that closing is that it makes it difficult/impossible to easily take the loop out to see the Romanesque gems that are located just a few km from Villasana de Mena. But I think Adolfo’s place is a solid option.
As it says the Practical Guide to the Camino Olvidado from Bilbao- summer 2022. It Is a PDF In a Post near the top of the Camino Olvidado forumThanks. Where is it?
Sorry, am I missing the attachment or do I just search for it?
Right LL, CLICK FORUM then ROUTES IN SPAIN then the SUBFORUMS..Scroll down until you get CAMINO OLVIDADO. Click it and 9 titles down you will see THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE CAMINO OLVIDADO etc.Sorry, am I missing the attachment or do I just search for it?
I guess you mean planning on walking the OlvidadoFor those walking the Invierno this year, @Sara_Dhooma is posting videos of her Olvidado, which I think she actually walked last summer. She has good footage of the albergues where she is staying — so far, she’s slept in Adolfo’s place and Casa Luisa. Neither of these places was open when I walked, so it’s interesting to see how things are changing.
On the first couple of stages at least, she is coinciding with three Spanish peregrinos. I got a kick out of the fact that she refers to them as “the oldies.” They are probably about 5-8 years younger than I — oh to be young again!
There on YouTube.Where would I find Sara's posts?
I edited my post to include a link to her youtube page. She’s posting every couple of days and has done the first three stages.Where would I find Sara's posts?
Actually planning is one of my least favorite activitiesThank you @LTfit ! This is really helpful. I'll be heading out mid-June as well but from a different starting point. I've sorted out my first week to Aguilar and am looking at accommodations from this point as well.
I can also post any useful info here.
Happy planning!
Thanks for the heads up! I'll be starting in Miranda de Ebro and will be about 8 days to Aguilar. And yup! This one is going to be expensive!! If I wasn't so excited about it, I might opt for another route but it all just looks so beautiful.Actually planning is one of my least favorite activities. I'm the kind of walker who prefers to do just that, walk and not worry about signage or accommodations but with this route that is not possible. It will also be way more expensive than all my previous ones but the upside is that it looks like the scenery will be outstanding.
So where are you starting from?
Also a heads-up, a guy from the Facebook Olvidado group who has walked this route before said to be very careful during the downhill between Fasgar and Igüeña. Apparently it can be dangerous.
Indeed it does! Last year I changed my mind a couple a weeks before leaving and repeated the Norte instead as I already had my ticket to Bilbao.Thanks for the heads up! I'll be starting in Miranda de Ebro and will be about 8 days to Aguilar. And yup! This one is going to be expensive!! If I wasn't so excited about it, I might opt for another route but it all just looks so beautiful.
Who knows, maybe our paths will cross. I'm expecting to be in Aguilar on June 22nd.
There are pilgrims walking now and others who just finished in Villafranca de Bierzo and no one has mentioned the albergue. Thus far everyone has stayed at Hostal Nisi.Will be interested to hear if the new albergue at Bonar is opened now at all.
In the Olvidado sub-forum but you're not missing out as it just announces the openingWhere is the thread?
Day 10 Cisterna (stage 11)
Nothing planned yet as was expecting the municipal to be open
Day 11 Boñar (stage 12B)
2 hostales: Hostal Nisi and Hostal Inés but neither have responded to my sms
Day 12 Vegacervera (stage 13B)
Albergue "El Chaltén". €10
Day 13 Pola de Gordón (stage 14B+ part 15B) Pension 15 de Mayo €20 or Pensión El Arenal €18
Good to know that they have WhatsApp! I'll contact them right away. What other hostel name do you have?In Cistierna, I contacted Hostal Moderno via WhatsApp at 661 76 75 94. They seem to be a small place and told me they were full on the date I was looking at, but then contacted me later to say there was just a cancellation so I have a room booked. 25 euros. Might be a busy little town! The other hostal was also full on my likely date!
For a peregrina is sufficientIn Boñar I spoke to Hostal Nisi on the phone. An individual room for a peregrina is 20 euros (probably for a peregrino as well
Yes, I've already booked with them and saw the price increase since I stayed there in 2021.In Pola de Gordon, Pension 15 de Mayo responded quickly on this email: pension15demayo@outlook.es The price has gone up a little to 22 euros for an individual room.
Thanks for the help!It looks more traditional albergues for the rest so I haven't contacted any yet but will probably do so on route.
Buen Camino!
The other one is Hostal el Cruce: https://hostalelcrucecistierna.com/Good to know that they have WhatsApp! I'll contact them right away. What other hostel name do you have?
Thanks! Hostel Moderno was prompt and confirmed they have a room.The other one is Hostal el Cruce: https://hostalelcrucecistierna.com/
I think there are a few other options (Casa Rurales etc) that are listed in Ender's Guide if these two are full.
Hi LT, how is it going? I stayed at the hotel Metropolitan in Bilbao for a few days last week, just a little over 13 Euros per night. I have also seen it when it's been 70 euros per night, when there was a music festival In Bilbao. I have stayed there numerous times. I like the location it's near Bando Train Station etc. If you sign in at Bossh Hotels you get a 5% discount.Ok, this is what I've found so far for my stages:
Bilbao: Bilbao Metropolitan Hostel (stayed last year and is near the Norte/Olvidado): €20 dorm 6 or 8
Day 1 Balmaseda (stage 1, part stage 2B: albergue €12
Day 2 Villasante (part stage 2B+ 3B): house Isabel donativo
End of reasonably priced accomodations for at least a week
Day 3 Santelices (stage 4): Hotel Rural el Rincón de las Merindades €40
Day 4 Arija (stage 5): Camping Playa de Arija €22
Day 5 Olea (stage 6): no response yet from Casa los Eros €25 or Casa Miguel €30 vía sms or website
Day 6 Aguilar de Campoo (stage 7):
Hostal los Olmos €40
Day 7 Cervera de Pisuerga (stage 8):
Albergue Turístico Rivera de Pisuerga €30/35 single (pay in advance)
Day 8 Guardo (stage 9) or Velilla de Río Carrión (but would be 44 km)
In Guardo there is a place Don Edmundo €30 but 2 guys walking a few days ago were sent on to Velilla.
Nothing planned yet.
Day 9 Puente Almuhey (stage 10B)
Finally an albergue municipal. Sonia is the hospitalera.
Day 10 Cisterna (stage 11)
Nothing planned yet as was expecting the municipal to be open
Day 11 Boñar (stage 12B)
2 hostales: Hostal Nisi and Hostal Inés but neither have responded to my sms
Day 12 Vegacervera (stage 13B)
Albergue "El Chaltén". €10
Day 13 Pola de Gordón (stage 14B+ part 15B) Pension 15 de Mayo €20 or Pensión El Arenal €18
Day 14 La Magdalena (rest stage 15B) new albergue municipal!
Day 15 Vegarienza (stage 16 + part 17) Albergue Acogida de Peregrinos (Estella). No contact yet
Day 16 Igüeña (part stage 17 + 18)
albergue municipal
Day 17 Congosto (stage 19 + 20)
albergue municipal
Day 18 ? Through Cabañas Raras to maybe Villafranca (stage 21 + 22)
If I have updates from the guys walking now I will post. Many places do not have WhatsApp and only a few have answered my sms. I haven't yet called anyone as the first week is more or less settled. The guys walking now seem to be calling a day or so in advance.
I need to contact my provider to temporarily change my data plan as international calls are currently not included and are therefore expensive. It would be so much easier if everyone had WhatsApp
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